Salina Turda: Saltmine, museum, and amusement park all underground

How much is salt today? A one year supply won’t even make a dent on your grocery budget (not that there are consumers buying one year supply).

The point is, the table salt we’ve all been taking for granted could have been classified as gold in the past. A mine has been built for those precious salts, and it’s in Romania called Salina Turda.

LOCATION

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Apart from vampires, you’d be surprised to know Romania has other things it is known for. Former salt mine now transformed into an underground museum and halotherapy center, Salina Turda has the tourists flocking in Romania.

The currently famous spot used to export salt in the regions of southeastern Transylvania, Hungarian Plains, and the Balkan Peninsula. Today, the pull of Salina Turda extends far from those regions. Located in the northwestern Transylvania particularly in the municipality of Turda in Cluj County, the attraction gathered two million visitors since 1992.

Salina Turda is about 400 feet deep and is considered the world’s largest salt mine and museum.

CLIMATE

The salt mine museum sits in Turda which experience continental climate. Written off with the climate is drier summers and cold winters with infrequent yet, heavy downpours.

However, deep in the mine has the same climate all throughout, which ranges from 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit with an 80 percent accompanying humidity, so visitors are advised to dress warmly.

TRANSPORTATION

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One of the major cities in Romania, which tourists frequent too, is Cluj-Napoca. Upon visiting the city, tourists hop on the bus going to Turda, where the salt mine is located.

The ride lasts for about 35 minutes. Car rentals are also available in the cities. Roads like E60 and E81 connects Romania to Turda. Parking area is available, but you have to buy a ticket first which costs five lei per day.

ATTRACTIONS

Upon entering Salina Turda, an employee will give you a map and brief you of the best route to take.

You will be greeted by slick, black walls of salts, which are fascinating to look at yet clammy when touched. Exiting the tunnel and climbing down the stairs will be the Franz Josef Gallery.

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Located in the Franz Josef Gallery is the Losif Mine called the “room of echoes” due to the place being an enclosed area.

An official document stating the existence of the mines dates back in 1271, but the mining equipment you will see in the place are usually from the 1800s.

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After the Losif Mine is the Rudolf Mine, which was the last to be excavated in Salina Turda. Wooden balconies are installed to overlook the deep excavation.

At the bottom of the Rudolf’s mine is a mini amusement park great for the family.

After the Rudolf Mine is the Terezia Mine. The name of the mine means “bell” after its shape. The Terezia Mine is an impressive 393-feet deep excavation in which you can ride rowboats as it a lake was formed at the bottom of this mine.

Much like the Rudolf Mine will be the Gizela Mine where spa treatments are located.